Howe hopeful of Wilson return for Palace trip

United make the trip to the capital targeting three consecutive league wins for the first time since September after triumphs over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur but face a in-form Palace side, who claimed an impressive 1-0 away win at Liverpool followed by a 5-2 thrashing of West Ham United last weekend.

Howe revealed Wilson, who suffered a pectoral injury in the latter stages of the Magpies' 3-2 away win against Nottingham Forest in February, could be nearing a return to competitive action whilst addressing the injury statuses of midfield duo Joe Willock and Lewis Miley.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Tuesday morning's pre-match media briefing at the Magpies' Training Centre in Benton...

On the progress of Wilson, who has registered three goals and two assists in his last five appearances against the Eagles:

“Callum has trained really well this week. It's been really good to have him back (with) the energy and quality that he brings.

"He's been able to, during the period has been out, focus on his legs, running and fitness so he has come back looking really good. We anticipate he will be able to hit the ground running and make a difference for us.

"I don't think Callum necessarily has a point to prove in terms of his ability and what he can deliver. That's undoubted. We'd love him to stay fit for a long period of time and to be able to execute that on a consistent basis."

On Willock, who made six league outings before sustaining an achilles injury against Fulham earlier this month:

“With Joe, we all have decided that a period where he strengthens the area around his achilles would benefit him more.

"He could have carried on playing but I think the longer term view was taken to get him right for next season. Surgery wouldn’t be beneficial to his situation. The achilles is improving well from the original injury that he had but we hope that, with rest and strengthening, he will be fine.

"It is a big frustration for Joe. He is desperate to play but, most importantly, desperate to go into games feeling good with his body and that's a challenge for any player. Hopefully, we can get to the situation where he is feeling athletically at his best.”

On Miley's injury:

“The decision was made on Lewis to look at his long-term future and try to protect him. We won’t see Lewis again this season. He's done brilliantly but I think with the back problem he has, rest is the right way for us to go.

"Even if there was a chance, we took that away very early with his age, we are just thinking about his long-term prospect.”

On the break in games ahead of Wednesday's clash at Selhurst Park:

“The players had a couple of days off after the Tottenham game. I was adamant after the Manchester City game that the break was a really good thing for us. After Spurs, you're thinking you want to play straightaway because the feeling of the group is so good. 

"We have tried to use the time productively, getting some good training work into the lads, who are feeling good about themselves, but not lose our rhythm.

"We have tried to keep that as consistent as we can."

On facing Palace, who currently occupy 14th place in the English top-flight:

“They have had two very good performances and I think that has been coming for them. They have been playing very well and maybe not getting the results they deserved.

"Credit to the new manager who has come in and instantly played a new system that has got the best out of the players they have.

"It gives them a good platform to express themselves and I think, for us, we can’t underestimate this is going to be a difficult game against a team in form."

On the form of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, who both have 18 goal involvements in the Premier League so far this term:

"I think it gives the whole team confidence and it filters down when you have your attacking players in form.

"When you add Harvey, who has come back from his respective injury in a good place, and Elliot Anderson who has also come back from injury but also looking really good, we have flexibility and strength from an attacking side which is great to see."